1937 Japanese General Election

30 April 1937 · Militarism and war · 466 seats, 234 for a majority

General elections were held in Japan on 30 April 1937 to elect the 466 members of the House of Representatives, after the dissolution of Parliament on 31 March. Rikken Minseitō emerged as the largest party in Parliament, with 179 of the 466 seats.

Held in wartime. This election took place while the country was engaged in Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945). Conflicts →

Prime Minister before

Senjūrō Hayashi

Imperial Japanese Army

Prime Minister (continued)

Senjūrō Hayashi

Imperial Japanese Army

Largest force

Rikken Minseitō

179 of 466 seats

Turnout

71.6%

The result

Sort by

Rikken Minseitō

Machida Chūji · 36.2% of votes · -26 seats

179

seats

Rikken Seiyūkai

Various · 35.2% of votes · +1 seats

175

seats

Shakai Taishūtō

Abe Isoo · 9.1% of votes · +19 seats

seats

Shōwakai

4.1% of votes · -1 seats

seats

Kokumin Dōmei

Adachi Kenzō · 2.8% of votes · -4 seats

seats

Tōhōkai

Nakano Seigō · 2.2% of votes

seats


Rikken Minseitō	Machida Chūji	179	-26	3,689,355	36.2%	-3.8
Rikken Seiyūkai	Various	175	+1	3,594,863	35.2%	+2.4
Shakai Taishūtō	Abe Isoo	37	+19	928,934	9.1%	+4.4
Shōwakai	—	19	-1	414,088	4.1%	-0.7
Kokumin Dōmei	Adachi Kenzō	11	-4	281,834	2.8%	+1.0
Tōhōkai	Nakano Seigō	11	—	221,455	2.2%	—

34 further seats went to parties and independents outside the main contenders listed above.